Pickin' Splinters

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Pittsford Mendon girls climb to the top of the mountain, win NYS Class A title

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Pittsford Mendon defeated New Hartford (III), 4-1 in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Class A championship, Sunday on White Field on the campus of SUNY Cortland. (Photo: Paul Gotham)

By PAUL GOTHAM

CORTLAND, N.Y. — Charlotte Engin netted a pair of goals, and Pittsford Mendon defeated New Hartford (III), 4-1 in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Class A championship, Sunday on White Field on the campus of SUNY Cortland.

One day after erasing a halftime deficit in the state semifinals, Mendon took an early lead that it did not surrender.

“We all started believing yesterday that we could win today,” Engin said. “I think that we carried that into today’s game.”

The senior midfielder stepped in front of a clearing and sent a volley from 30 yards out to start the scoring.

“I shot it, and I was like ‘wait a minute, it actually might go in.’ It was unbelievable, and it just started the whole energy for the rest of the game which I was really happy about.”

Her second goal capped a pivotal sequence that saw the Vikings (19-1-1) close the first half with a score and then get the first tally of the second half.

“That period of time is very important,” said Mendon head coach Eric Pritchard. “That’s when you’re either clicked on or you’re clicked off just because you’re not ready to go or you’re already calming down for halftime. Those minutes are very important. We discuss that every single time.”

Ella Van Putte converted the rebound off a Lily Larimer attempt to double the Mendon lead with 1:25 remaining in the first half.

The Vikings came out of the break on the offensive and worked for three corner kicks and a set piece within the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

With New Hartford pushed back on its heels, Engin settled a cross from Van Putte at the top of the 18 and needed one touch to find the back of net with a left-footed strike.

“The key was I thought we just had to make sure that we played like we normally do all season and not let the nerves in the way,” Pritchard said. “I thought that they did a good job of settling down, creating those chances and then eventually getting the goal.”

New Hartford’s Bria Nackley cut the margin to two in the 57th minute.

Jaelyn Rodi responded eight minutes later for Mendon.

Over the first 40 minutes, Mendon was able to neutralize a New Hartford squad that used a high press to try and dictate the tempo of the match.

“The way we defend, we had people marked and we had spaces marked,” Pritchard explained. “We wanted three up high because what that does is it takes that formation and brings their wings back so they can’t attack.

“They only had a couple forwards up. They couldn’t bring their wing backs up because we kept those three high. That allowed us to create more space. We always had a player open on the opposite side of the field, so once we started switching the field, it opened up things for us and we were allowed to attack easier.”

The victory clinched the Mendon girls’ fourth title in program history and first since 1988.

“Our main focus and goal throughout the season is to always look to improve,” Pritchard said. “If you do that, you always put your best chance to finish the season as high as possible.

“They learned from yesterday about the pace and the speed of the game. They took it out there today and it was a totally different story. I’m very proud of what they accomplished, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Kate Crowley made five saves for the win.

Engin finished the season with a team-high 17 goals.

“What’s she’s done on the field for us this year, game winners all throughout the season,” Pritchard said. “Off free kicks, that header yesterday in the semis. She’s even scored off a corner kick this year. She’s been bringing it throughout the whole season.”

Mendon’s first three state titles came under the direction of hall-of-fame coach Brenda Gibson.

Mendon’s championship coupled with Byron-Bergen’s Class C title later in the day gave Section V back-to-back years with two championships. Spencerport (AA) and Haverling (B) won titles in 2023.

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